There are so many wonderfully interesting things to see in this beautiful small German town named Trier. With a limited amount of time I chose six places I knew I wanted to see and share with you.
1. The Kurfurstliches Palais – Electoral Palace
Are you ready for some eye candy? Then find your way over to the Kurfurstliches Palais. This stunning palace is one of my favorite places as I remember playing with my cousins in the gardens and around the pond when my mom and dad brought us to visit our family. The beauty of the Palace extends to the fabulous garden statutes and pond. Once the home of the Archbishops and Electors of Trier back in the 16th – 18th Century this fabulous building now mostly houses government offices. Unfortunately, it was closed the few days I was there and so I didn’t get a chance to see the interior but it is the first thing I plan to do when I return.
2. Hauptmarkt – Main Market
If you are looking for the Heart of Trier you will find it here at the Hauptmarkt. All streets in Trier lead to this wonderful town square where you will find yourself immersed in the daily life of Trier. Surrounded by beautiful historic buildings that now house restaurants and shops, it is the perfect place to relax and people watch in between shopping and taking fabulous photos. As you explore the city streets you will find yourself in awe of the beautiful churches and the Porta Nigra. Trier is so rich with history and beauty that I was not able to see everything in the short time I was there. I am entertaining the dream of living there for a whole summer so I can spend quality time with my family and explore all that Trier holds dear to my heart. This fantastic place is part of my heritage and it is time for me to become more immersed in it. Let’s see what the future brings.
3. Trier Dom – St. Peter’s Cathedral
Churches, Churches and more Churches. You will find them everywhere in Germany and throughout Europe but each one has a beauty and a heartbeat of it’s own. The Trier Dom is no exception as you will see as soon as you walk into her doors. The oldest church in Germany is grand in stature and impressive regardless of your faith. The most eye catching section of the church has to be the pristine white ceiling above the stunning altar and the organ so large that the organist sits inside it. The real treasure of this church is the fact that it houses the Holy Robe of the Messiah which he wore during or shortly before his Crucifixion. The robe is rarely on exhibit for the public to see with the last showing being 2012, so I didn’t get a viewing.
4. The Liebfrauenkirche – The Church of Our Lady
The oldest Gothic Church in Germany, the Liebfrauenkirche is the smaller church built right next to the Dom Trier. At first glance it looks as if the two churches are just one but they are indeed two uniquely different churches. The elaborate entrance to the Liebfrauenkirche leads into a church with the most beautiful stained glass windows.
5. Porta Nigra – The Black Gate
The Porta Nigra known as the Black Gate is a must see! Built around 180 A.D. it is the last standing gateway of the four built in the 1st Century when the city was a Roman colony. Two entrances lead into the interior courtyards of the Porta Nigra where intruders would be trapped and covered with tar poured from the windows, which may be the real reason it is now known as the Black Gate. Impressive as it is from the outside I found the city views to be even more so.
6. Amphitheater Trier, Germany
Built in the 2nd Century A.D. this arena was used to entertain up to 20,000 spectators who watched the cruel fights between gladiators and animals. The arena was built over a series of tunnels and dungeons that housed the animals and prisoners while awaiting the fights. Today this theater is used for much more pleasant entertainment including concerts and other outdoor events.
